v -OG*Lfr©'L 



\j^rr^QH^\$^^ry^jL^L 



JLOjC^M- 



C* TTjCWnft, 






• [ - "\ - \ 






■■ 




Glass L 
Book- 






STATE OF MAINE 
EDUCATIONAL DEPARTMENT 



=THE= 



School Improvement League 



OF MAINE 




Founded May 23, 189S 
MEMBERSHIP, 55,000 



OFFICERS : 
President, Payson Smith, Auburn 
Secretary, Kate MacDonald, Machias 






ftV 



SEP31 

V. of 



fe 



Contents. page. 

Prefatory Note, 5 

Organizing Leagues, . 6 

The Prime Object, 8 

Better Physical Surroundings, 9 

Best Books for all, 11 

Library Regulations, 13 

Art in the Schoolroom, 14 

Literary Work, 16 

Some Specimen Programs, 17 

The League Council, 21 

The Teachers' Branch, 22 

A Sample Constitution, 23 

Some Simple Rules of Order, 26 

Some Suggestions for Raising Money, ... 27 

A word in General, 31 



Prefatory note. 

There has long been a feeling among parents, 
school officials and teachers that our schools stand 
in need of certain ideals and vitalizing forces. It 
has for some time been apparent that we must 
strive to restore the old-time interest in the 
local school and its work. It is clear that the 
success of the school depends very largely upon 
the parents of the community, as well as upon 
the sense of responsibility which the boys and 
girls themselves feel for their own training. 
There has been a constantly increasing idea that 
the school should not only give instruction in 
certain studies, but should at the same time 
be responsible for certain training in citizenship 
and the inculcation of high ideals in literature 
and art. 

This general feeling made its concrete manifes- 
tation in the formation of the School Improve- 
ment League of Maine, and the ready acceptance 
of the movement into popular favor proved at 
once how keenly on the alert are our people and 
our teachers for any helps which shall bring 
increased usefulness to the public school. 

The history of the five years' existence of this 
organization is plainly written not only in the 
improved condition of scores of schoolrooms and 
school yards but, even better than that, in an 
increasing sense of responsibility the pupils are 
manifesting in matters of prime importance to 

5 



them, and in a stronger interest in the local 
school. 

It is not the purpose of this Manual to refer to 
what has already hern done through League en- 
deavor, but rather to suggesl methods and lines 
of actn»n for future work. Many teachers who 
have not yet engaged in League work will doabt- 
less be glad to receive from those who have had 
experience in this held, suggestions growing out 
of that experience and Mich hints and helps as 
have proved of value to League workers. It is 
not expected that all these suggestions will be 
of service to all Leagues, but out of them may 
come some assistance in the varying circum- 
stances in which the Leagues are striving to 
improve the schools. 

Organizing Locai Li 
The flexibility of the working plan of the 
League renders it equally useful in all grades and 
classes of schools. Wherever the teacher feels 
the need of strong parental interest, of increased 
student enthusiasm, of broader ideals of life, 
there is a field for League endeavor. It will he 
found, however, that the organizations will vary 
irding to the school in which the league is 
to work. In the primary school the work will 
ive the immediate direction of the teacher; 
in the ungraded school, more perhaps than in 
any other, the organization will have parents in 
its membership and will receive from them active 
cooperation. In these schools, in the higher 
classes of graded schools and in high schools, 
the local league should have a form of organi- 
zation with a constitution and code of by-laws. 
6 



Having decided that a League will be a desir- 
able adjunct to her school the teacher's first step is 
to enlist the attention and interest of the pupils 
and the patrons of the school. The State Edu- 
cational Department has issued two documents 
bearing upon this work, one being an outline of 
the purposes of the League and suggestions that 
are of value in effecting an organization, the other 
speaking at some length of the work that has al- 
ready been done by the movement. The teacher 
should obtain a supply of these documents, make 
a study of their contents and send copies into the 
homes of the community. Then, appointing a 
suitable time, she may talk briefly to her pupils 
of the general purposes of the Leagues, naming 
some particular advantages that might come 
through them to their school. 

At the time of this talk it would be very desir- 
able to have parents present and a special invita- 
tion extended to citizens would no doubt secure 
a representation of the adult portion of the com- 
munity. The teacher should bear in mind that 
the prime object of the League is not money get- 
ting and, if she name some specific objects to 
be attained, she should be careful to name those 
that are clearly within the reasonable effort of 
the school. Emphasize most strongly the ethical 
strength of the work and make it perfectly clear 
first, that pupils are to join the League only on 
their own volition and second, that it does not 
require any money expenditure to be a member, 
as the constitution distinctly states that only 
the desire to improve the school, whether by con- 
tribution of labor, material or money is the 
requisite for membership. 

7 



After having thus made clear the objects of 
the League, you are ready to form your organi- 
zation. Find out how many will join the League 
and appoint a committee to draft a constitution. 
An outline of a constitution is printed in this 
manual. Appoint a day for the first regular meet- 
ing and suggest that the members be consider- 
ing names for the list of officers. Membership 
certificates are furnished by the State Educational 
Department free of cost and League buttons, 
bearing the official monogram, may be obtained 
from the same source at a cost of one cent each. 
These should be ready for distribution at the 
first regular meeting. At this meeting the new 
League will adopt a constitution, choose a name 
and elect its officers. A line of \\<>rk f<>r the 
term may also be discussed. Each meeting should 
have a program prepared by the executive com- 
mittee, or by a committee especially appointed 
for the purpose. A few specimen programs are 
offered in this manual by way of suggestion. 
The Prime Object. 

The School Improvement League has adopted 
certain specific objects which are treated sepa- 
rately in this manual, but it may well be borne in 
mind by the teacher that there i^ a certain prime 
object, or underlying motive, which will largely 
limit the measure of success. This motiv< 
the awakening of a controlling interest in the 
school on tin- pari of it- pupils ami patrons. This 
purpose will be best promoted by making the mem- 
bers of the League responsible for it. The teach- 
er may advise and assist, but the movement, to 
be successful, must belong wholly to the members 
8 



who compose it and they should have the broad- 
est possible freedom of action within stated con- 
stitutional limits. 

In considering lines of action the League 
should not cripple itself by attempting too many 
things at once. One thing should be carried 
through before another is taken up. The first 
things undertaken may be selected because of 
the ease of their accomplishment. Children as 
well as their elders like to see immediate results 
of their efforts. 

Better Physical Surroundings. 

It is hardly necessary to call the attention either 
of the people or the teachers of Maine to the 
importance of clean, wholesome and comfortable 
surroundings for children. The draughty, ill- 
ventilated schoolrooms, the spine-curving benches, 
the unsightly school yards are coming to be 
things of the past. We are providing better 
things along these lines ; towns are showing their 
willingness to do all they can to hasten the 
era of better facilities ; individuals and commu- 
nities are daily giving evidence of their appre- 
ciation of these needs ; it is now for our teachers 
and school children to do their part in cultivating 
these favorable tendencies and exercising care 
and protection of the things that are provided 
them. The League should not only exercise its 
efforts in decorating rooms and in grading and 
caring for grounds, but it is its province also 
to assist in preserving things already provided, 
to help in keeping the room and buildings neat, 
and to exercise a constant watchfulness over the 
school yard. Thus not only will teachers and 

9 



school officials have valuable assistance in caring 
for the public property, but also a sort of civic 
pride will be engendered in children and lessons 
of neatness and order, more important than many 
learned from books, will become a part of the 
child's unconscious training. 

Hints: If your school has no flag procure 
one and when you have the flag raising do not 
forget to invite your local G. A. R. and W. R. C. 
organizations to be present. 

Study the soil about your school and see for 
what plants and shrubs it is best adapted. Mr. 
J. B. Upham of the Youth's Companion, Boston, 
will be glad to send you, free, a copy of a little 
book. "How to Set Out Trees and Shrubbery." 
It would be well for every teacher to avail her- 
self of Mr. Upham's generous offer and have the 
book on her desk. 

If your yard needs grading appoint a day to 
be spent on this work and invite tin- men of 
the community to assist with their team-. 

Tumbled-down fences, rucks and stump-, are 
unsightly. If any are in your yard remove them. 

Celebrate Arbor Day by clearing the yard and 
planting trees. The Youth's Companion will also 
send to any teacher an Arbor I >a\ Roll of Honor 
on which to inscribe the name- of the pupils 
who carry out this work. 

Have a committee to care for the yards and 
outbuildings. Flower seeds are cheap and it is 
hoped that this manual may reach you in time 
to make "the wilderness blossom like the rose." 
Keeping the schoolroom perfectly clean mean- 
"Better Physical Surroundings." 

10 



There should be a "Vacation Committee" in 
each League. It should be the duty of this com- 
mittee to see that the plants and shrubs do not 
suffer for want of attention during the long sum- 
mer vacation and to exercise a watchful care 
over the schoolhouse when no sessions are being 
held in it. This Committee should include mem- 
bers who live near the schoolhouse and should 
have at least one adult member. 

Best Books for All. 

The school library movement is an encouraging 
sign of the times. It shows that teachers are not 
content with what the text-books furnish; that 
pupils of our schools want wholesome and elevat- 
ing literature; that parents and communities are 
ready to provide the schools with an important 
requisite of intellectual advancement. It is com- 
paratively easy for any school to obtain a library 
of from twenty-five to a hundred books. With 
all the schools of a town thus supplied, by an ar- 
rangement of exchange each term or year, every 
child may have placed at his disposal in his school 
life a large range of reading. The library work 
once started will move along with other things. 
It should receive attention very early in the his- 
tory of each local League. 

Hints : Prepare a proper case in which to 
keep your library. Make known your need of this 
to a local carpenter or to one of your boys who 
is "handy with tools." The cost need not be 
great. It is worth while to have the case at- 
tractively made, but remember that money saved 
on this may be put into the more important con- 
tents. 

n 



All the books should contain a list of rules 
governing their loan. Perhaps your local super 
intendent will see that you are supplied when the 
need for these rules arises. 

Ten dollars will buy from twenty-five to thirty 
books, a good nucleus for a library. 

A "book sociable," a literary entertainment, a 
talk by some friend of the school, with a small 
admission fee, are some of the means which may 
be used for augmenting the "library fund." 

Write to the State Librarian. Augusta, Maine, 
for important information about the State libra- 
ries. (The traveling libraries can be secured 
at a very trifling cost. 

Have a "library committee'' to prepare and 
approve lists of books. The teacher ami at least 
one other adult member should be on this com- 
mitter. 

In an ungraded school the library should be 
planned to suit all the pupils and should also be 
arranged so that it will have value for the com- 
munity at large. 

A list of desirable books circulated in the 
community may bring gifts to the library. 

Your local book dealer can give you information 
concerning the prices of books. DeWolfe, Piske 
& Co., The Educational Publishing Company, 
Houghton, Mifflin Company, Boston, T. Y. Crow- 
ell & Co., New York and the regular school book 
publishers can give you lists of books suitable 
for school libraries. Make purchases of your 
local dealer if you can get satisfactory pr 

Lists of books suitable for school libraries are 
given in "Library and Art Exchange.'' This 



pamphlet is sent free of expense by the State 
Educational Department, Augusta, to all who 
apply for it. 

The following set of rules for school libraries 
is given by way of suggestion: 

S. I. U. M. 



School Libraries. 

This book is the property of 

the League 

of the School. 

Library Regulations. 

i. This book may be taken for use in school 
under such condition as the teacher of this 
school may prescribe. 

2. Members of this League in good standing 

have the privilege of taking for home use 
not more than one book at a time for a 
period not to exceed two weeks. Any book 
retained for more than two weeks shall be 
paid for at the rate of two cents for every 
day exceeding this limit. 

3. Persons not members of this League may take 

books under the conditions of regulation 2 
on payment of a library fee of ten cents 
a week or fifty cents a term. 

4. All money received under these regulations 

shall be expended for the improvement of 
this library. 

5. Persons not members of this League who 

have contributed for the support of this 
library shall be permitted the use of its 
books for such period of time as the mem- 
bers of this League may vote. 

6. The books of this library shall be recalled at 

the close of each term of school. 

,_ . x 3 



7. Books are to be taken from this library for 

home use at a stated time in each week. 
Unless otherwise provided the time shall 
be four o'clock of each Friday afternoon. 

8. No book shall be admitted to this library 

which has not first received the approval 
of the library committee and teacher of 
this school. 

9. Any book injured shall be paid for by the 

person in whose possession it was when 
injured. 

10. Persons who violate any of these regulations 

shall be deprived of library privileges for 
such time as the library committee may 
vote. 

Art in the Schoolroom. 

Invention has but recently brought within the 
reach of the common schools reproductions of the 
great masterpieces of art. The refining and ele- 
vating ideals of literature have been recognized 
as exerting a potent influence in moulding fine 
types of civilization. A force not less than this 
is, without question, to be exerted through the 
great thoughts that have been placed on cam 

How much the aesthetic sense may be culti- 
vated, and in how great a decree a tine imagi- 
native sense may be developed by constant asso- 
ciation with the ideas of the great masters can 
hardly be measured. The silent influence <>f sur- 
roundings is, however, part of a person's almost 
daily experience. The sacred calm that pervades 
the beautiful church engenders an instinctive 
spirit of devotion; the quiet atmosphere of the 
library tones down the conduct of the most 
boisterous urchin that enters it. The air of a 
well-ordered home follows its inmates into what- 



ever circle they may go. Not less do cold, repel- 
lant or disorderly surroundings create a tendency 
to similar characteristics in those who are sub- 
jected to their influence. 

How highly important it is then, that the 
school in which children are to spend the larger 
part of their time in the formative period of 
life, should have all possible elements of beauty 
and refinement which pertain to the home. The 
school must not continue to be, in any case, an 
unattractive place of drudgery. The importance 
of its work in the economy of the Nation per- 
mits no suggestion of its having any less atten- 
tion than the utmost the community can give. 

More care given to the environment of youth 
means ultimately less care and expense in the 
disposition of criminal classes. To make our 
Maine schoolrooms more attractive, more home- 
like, more beautiful, more habitable, is a work 
which may well arrest the attention of the S. I. 
L. M. 
Hints : 

In schoolroom decoration it is well to begin 
by tinting the walls some soft, restful shade. 

If the walls are to be papered avoid designs. 
Tinted papers are the best. 

Picture moulding is not expensive and the 
results of its use are more satisfactory than that 
of unsightly nails and screws. 

Avoid conglomerate masses of small pictures. 
A picture to be hung on the wall should be large 
enough to command attention. 

The small copies of pictures are excellent for 
seat study, and a supply of tHem for this 
purpose is a wise League investment. 

15 



Plaster casts are very attractive; there is a wide 
choice of subjects and they are surprisingly 
cheap. Any school may own at least one. Avoid 
perfectly white casts. Get ivory or light cream. 
Young children are fascinated with casts from the 
works of Donatello and Delia Robbia. 

See the lists of casts and pictures in "Library 
and Art Exchange." 

In framing pictures avoid the use of ornate 
and gilt frames. Plain mouldings are far more 
satisfactory for the schoolroom. 

In a village perhaps a picture loan exhibit 
would add to your decoration fund. 

When you have tinted the walls and secured a 
few pictures the community will be glad to re- 
spond to an invitation to observe the effect. 

Apropos of framing pictures remember that a 
very dark picture is made lighter by a very dark 
frame. 

A very light picture is made darker by a very 
light frame. 

In buying pictures, go slowly. Gel good copies 
of only the best pictures. If you are not quite 
sure of your own judgment on the subject, con- 
sult some one who knows. 

Should there be a Woman's Club in your town, 
do not hesitate to indicate your willingness to 
accept the counsel and aid of its members. 

The Taber-Prang Art Co., Springfield, Mass.; 
The J. C. Witter Co., Fifth Ave.. New York ; The 
Perry Pictures Co., Boston; The Houghton, Mif- 
flin & Co., "Ornaments for School Rooms" and 
the Rrown Picture Co., are some of the many 
satisfactory firms dealing in low-priced pictures. 

16 



Literary Work. 
The opportunity offered by the League for 
certain features of literary- work is too excellent 
to be lost sight of for a moment. The "lyceum" 
which was for so many years a feature of school 
work was of inestimable importance in develop- 
ing certain qualities that have distinguished the 
product of New England schools. The Leagues 
may wisely turn their attention to a revival of 
this excellent institution. Each meeting should 
devote attention to literary work. Papers, de- 
bates, readings, lectures, musicales, are all legiti- 
mate features to introduce into the League meet- 
ings. A study of the lives of men famous in 
local, State and National life is one of the dis- 
tinct features of League work. Leagues may 
profitably give attention to local historical re- 
search. The State Educational Department will 
send on application a pamphlet on the study of 
local history. An occasional meeting at which 
the social features will predominate may serve 
to increase the interest in the movement. The 
programs given below suggest what may be done 
along the several lines above discussed. 

Some Specimen Programs. 
I. 
Suppose you have decided that yours shall be 
called the "Longfellow League." Your first regu- 
lar meeting after organization may be given up to 
a Longfellow program and some of your money 
taken to buy a good picture of the poet. His kind 
face looking down upon you day after day, will 
surely prove .an. inspiration. 

17 



i. Song The Arrow and the Song 

2. Roll Call* answered by quotations from Long- 

fellow. 

3. Biography of Longfellow. 

4. Recitations, 

Sandalphon, 

The Children's Hour, 

Psalm of Life. 

5. Character Sketch, 

Evangeline. 

6. Song The Bridge 

7. Class Reading . The Old Clock on the Stairs 

8. Contrast . . John Alden and Miles Standish 

9. Recitations, 

The Reaper and the Flowers. 
Selections from Hiawatha. 

10. Song The Rainy Day 

11. Concert Recitation . . . The Day is Done 

II. 

"Promote, as a primary importance, institutions 
for the general diffusion of knowledge." 

Washington 

No doubt there will be many "Washington 
Leagues" formed and for these the following 
hints may suggest items for a more complete 
program. 

1. Have two pupils distribute little pasteboard 

hatchets on each of which is written a 
quotation from Washington. 

2. Song Star Spangled Banner 

3. Flag Salute. 

4. Early Life tit Washington, 

5. Reading .... Washington's First Letter 

6. Washington a- a Soldier. 

7. Paper Winter at Valley Forge 

8. Song . . Columbia the Gem "t" tli< Ocean 

9. Washington as President of the United States. 

10. A Visit to Mt. Vernon in [901. 

11. Reading the quotations on Hatchet-. 

12. Song America 

18 



III. 

The third program is one taken from the set 
prepared by a girl of thirteen. It was given in 
April. In discussing the reports some little time 
was spent in "Parliamentary Drill." 

Singing. 

Secretary's Report. 

Treasurer's Report. 

Report of Committee appointed to plan for 
an entertainment. 

Discussion of this report. 

Appointment of two pupils to make the window 
garden. 

Declamation . . . Hark to Mother Nature 

Declamation Daffodils 

Singing. 

IV. 

This program was given in a room where there 
were no adult members of the League except 
the teacher. On this particular occasion several 
of the parents were present by invitation and 
at the close of the session they joined the League, 
i. Music. 

2. A short talk by the Secretary on what the 

League has done. 

3. A talk by the President on what the League 

hopes to do with the help of the people 
of the neighborhood. 

4. Visitors urged to talk frankly in regard to 

the League. 

5. The Last Book I read . . One of the Boys 

(Resume without notes.) 

6. The Last Book I read . . One of the Girls 

(Resume without notes.) 
These were two of the new books that had been 

added to the library through the efforts of the 

League. 

Perhaps you have bought, or are trying to buy, 

a copy of Raphael's Sistine Madonna. The fol- 

19 



lowing program may help to create an interest in 
the artist and picture, 
i. Music. 

2. Secretary's Report. 

3. Report of the Committee on Pictures. 

4. Suggestions by different members as to the 

manner of raising money to buy pictures. 

5. Paper — Life of Raphael. 

6. Some famous contemporaries of Raphael. 

7. Some of Raphael's Best Known Pictures. 

8. Compare, "The Madonna of the Chair" and 

"The Sistine Madonna." 

9. A short talk on the Sistine Madonna, explain- 

ing the figures, etc. (For this see River- 
side Art Series, No. 1.) 

10. Music. 

"Raphael's Sistine Madonna has been \\<>rtli 
far more to the religious and art world than an 
exact photograph of the Syrian Mother would 
have been." 

A delightful program may be made with Rosa 
Bonheur as the subject, on the occasion of the 
League securing one of her pictures. One 
League has spent two very profitable afternoons 
with Landseer. 

Each teacher knows her own needs best and 
will, of course, arrange her program accordingly. 
The League Coin* n . 

The work of the S. I. L. M. cannot fail to re- 
ceive helpful service from that supervisory body 
which is designated as the League Council. 
Each county in the State is to have a councilor. 
This office in each case will be filled by a per- 
son of broad educational sympathies and one 
whose interest in the work of school improve- 
ment is sufficient to insure practical service 
to the teachers of the county. 



It certainly signifies much both for the schools 
and the teachers that these busy men and women 
are ready to lend their support to the further- 
ance of the objects of the League. The teach- 
ers are to feel free to write to the councilors 
of their respective counties for encouragement 
or suggestions. 

The councilors will visit schools in which 
Leagues have been organized and speak to the 
members on educational topics. Meetings of 
the Council Avill be held at stated intervals and 
from this body the S. I. L. M. may expect that 
uplift which the character of its members prom- 
ises. Folllowing is a list of the members of the 
League Councilors : 

Mrs. W. H. Newell, Lewiston. 
Miss E. M. Hayes, Portland. 
Mr. W. G. Mallett, Farmington. 
Mr. O. A. Morton, Bar Harbor. 
Prin. W. J. Thompson, S. China. 
Miss Lena F. Cleveland, Camden. 
~*rs. J. E. Nichols, Round Pond. 
F. W. Colburn, Centre Lovell. 
Mrs. Mertie M. Curtis, Brewer. 
Miss A. E. Averill, Foxcroft. 
Mr. F. S. Adams, Bowdoinham. 
Mr. L. H. r\pplebee, Palmyra. 
Mr. J. R. Dunton, Belfast. 
Miss L. Annie Hunter, Machias. 
Supt. John S. Locke, Saco. 

Teachers' Branch, S. I. L. M. 
A most important move in the League has 
been made in the organization of the Teachers' 
Branch. It is recognized that the large amount 
of work that has already been accomplished by 
this movement for the improvement of the 



schools has been directed by the progressive 
element of the teaching force of Maine. Teach- 
ers who have assumed these duties in the past 
and have become personally acquainted with 
the good results achieved are the persons who 
are to be most useful in the work of the move- 
ment in the future. They are needed in carry- 
ing on the plan in its enlarged form and in 
bringing it to the attention of other teachers 
who are fitted to become successful League 
Workers. 

All teachers who engage in the work can be 
of service to themselves and the movement at 
large by uniting in a closer union for the prose- 
cution of school improvement. The Teachers' 
Branch will serve as a medium of communica- 
tion among its members ; it will enable superin- 
tendents to make the work permanent in their 
respective towns ; it will enable the State officers 
to keep a permanent record of what is done 
by the various Leagues and will see that the 
public is informed of the results accomplished 
by the Leagues. All teachers who have done or 
are doing League work are eligible for member- 
ship in the Teachers' Branch. Any teacher who 
in the future organizes or conducts a League will 
become a member on sending to the State 
retary facts relative to the organization. 

A directory of the members of the Teachers' 
Branch will be prepared during the pn 
school year and teachers who de-ire t.> he en- 
rolled as members should send their names and 
addresses immediately to Mi>s Kate MaeDoiiald, 
Machias. 



Members of the Branch are also urged to 
send to the State Secretary reports of each 
term's work. Also to send photographs of 
schoolrooms and grounds and all other material 
which may assist her in keeping a record of the 
work done by the Leagues. Remember that no 
details are too small to be of interest. 

Members of the Branch are also urged to 
form town Leagues and to correspond with 
other League workers. 

Constitution. 

The following form of constitution is given 
by way of suggestion merely. It can be altered 
to suit different conditions. This constitution 
conforms to the requirements of the more gen- 
eral constitution outlined in the pamphlet en- 
titled '"Library and Art Exchange." 

Constitution of the 

School Improvement League. 

Article i. 
This League shall be a branch of the School 
Improvement League of Maine. It shall be 
known as the League. 

Article 2 — Objects. 
The objects of this organization shall be those 
of the State League, viz. To improve school 
grounds and buildings, to furnish suitable read- 
ing matter for pupils and people and to provide 
works of art for schoolrooms. 

Article 3 — Members. 
Sec. 1. — Membership in this League shall be 
open to the members of the 

23 



school and to all persons who desire the pro- 
motion of the object- stated in Article 2 of 
this constitution. 

Sec. 2. Any pupil of the 

School shall be admitted to full membership 
in this League on signing this constitution and 
paying a membership fee which shall be payable 
in money, labor, or material. 

Sec. 3. — Persons not members of the 

School may become mem- 
bers of this League on signifying their assent 
to the objects of the League and on payment 
of the membership fee. 

Article 4 — Officers. 

Sec. 1. — The officers of this League shall con- 
sist of a President, a Vice-President, a Secretary, 
a treasurer and an Executive Committee of 
three, the Chairman of which shall be the Presi- 
dent. 

Sec. 2. The President of the League shall 
be the teacher; all other officers shall be elected 
by ballot at the first meeting of each term. 

Sec. 3. The duties of these officers shall he 
those usually required of such officers. It shall 
also be the duty of the Secretary to return to 
the Secretary of the Town League full reports 
of the doings of this League. If there be no 
town League such report shall be returned to 
the Secretary of the State League. 

Article 5— Fin 
The monthly membership fee in this 1 .ramie 

shall be cents, and shall be payable 

in money, labor, or material. 

24 



Sec. 2. An account of the receipts and ex- 
penditures shall be rendered by the treasurer 
at the close of each term. 

Article 6 — Meetings. 

Sec i. The regular meetings of this League 
shall be held 

Sec. 2. Special meetings may be called by the 
President. 

Article 7 — Amendments. 

Alterations or amendments to this constitu- 
tion may be made by a two-thirds vote of the 
members present at a regular meeting, provided 
that notice of such alteration or amendment 
has been given at a previous regular meeting. 
Suggestions : 

To adopt a constitution it should be read and 
discussed article by article and each article 
should be separately adopted. After all the arti- 
cles have thus been adopted the constitution as 
a whole should then be adopted. 

A list of names suitable for leagues may be 
found in the "Library and Art Exchange." 

The membership fee should not be allowed 
to exceed one cent each week and the clause 
permitting payment in money, labor or material 
must always be included. 

The usual arrangement for meetings is on 
each alternate Friday afternoon not to exceed 
a half or three quarters of an hour. 

The permanent officers are elected after adopt- 
ing the constitution, a temporary chairman and 
secretary having served to this time. 

The constitution as finally adopted should be 
copied into a blank book and be signed by the 

25 



members. The records of the Secretary may 
be kept in this book. 

Some Simple Rules of Ori»f.r. 

In the conduct of meetings teachers may 
wish to have some guide in regard to the method 
of transacting business. A League in a high 
school should have available for reference some 
standard work on parliamentary procedure, as 
Reed's or Robert's Rules of Order. 

The President: The President should call the 
meeting to order. He presides at the meetings. 
Remarks from members should be addressed to 
him and no member should discuss a point until 
the President has "recognized" him, i. e., called 
him by name. When a member is thus "recog- 
nized" he "has the floor" and no other member 
may rise to speak. The president should not 
discuss questions from the "chair." if he wishes 
to speak on any point he must call some member 
to take his place. If a member who is speaking 
transgresses any rule of order the President 
may interrupt him. The President can vote in 
cases where his vote would affect the result 
or when the vote is by ballot The President 
may sit during the discussion of questions but 
in offering the question for final vote he should 
stand. It is the duty of the President to keep 
the meeting orderly. 

The Secretary: The record of the Secretary 
should be a record of actual facts and not of 
the Secretary's personal views. The record of 
each meeting should Ik- read at the first subse- 
quent meeting and should be acted upon by 
the meeting, corrected if necessary, and then ap- 
proved. 

26 



Motions, etc: It is wise for a member who 
wishes to offer a motion or resolution to put it 
in writing first, then rising he may address the 
President and say, "I move that we adopt this 
resolution," handing it to the President who may 
need to refer to it during the discussion of it. 
After a motion has been made and seconded 
it is then open for discussion by the members. 
If an amendment is offered the amendment is 
treated first independently; and then the original 
motion has to be acted upon, as amended or 
not as the members vote. Those in favor of a 
motion first declare by saying J'Aye/' then 
those opposed by saying '"No." In case of doubt 
the vote is taken by each side rising in turn. 

Some Suggestions for Raising Money. 

All League workers are urged to keep promi- 
nently in mind the main objects for which the 
Leagues are working and should be careful not 
to permit the League to become merely a money 
collecting machine. But since many teachers 
have asked for suggestions on methods of rais- 
ing money for League purposes it has been 
thought wise to state some of the ways in which 
teachers have met this difficult}'-. Suggestions 
of this sort are so valuable that teachers who 
have tried other methods are urged to give 
their fellow teachers the advantage of their ex- 
perience and send in to the office an account of 
what they have done along this line. 

For a school in which there are pupils old 
enough to take the parts, a simple drama is al- 
ways a sure way of attracting an audience. Some 
of the adult members of the League will be glad 

27 



to assist the teachers at rehearsals and in ar- 
ranging costumes. For a League where the 
members are all young children, the teacher may 
ask any one to take the different characters as 
there are always people who will help on a mat- 
ter of this kind. 

A "book sociable" may be given at which 
each person represents the title of a book. Pro- 
vide each one with a pencil and paper to keep 
a list of the titles guessed and give some little 
reward to the one who has a correct list. Have 
cake and ice-cream for sale during the evening. 
****** 

An evening's entertainment made up of some 

of the best declamations that have been given 

during the term, a few pieces of music and one 

composition on the S. I. L. M. is an assured 

success. 

****** 

Ask someone who is interested in the school, 
your minister, perhaps, to give a talk to the pu- 
pils on some city that he has visited, or upon 
some simple subject and invite the people of 
the neighborhood to come and pay a small ad- 
mission. 

****** 

In some towns it is possible for a school to 
have a supper and goodly sums are realized 
in this way. One League tried a basket, or 
box supper. Each lady brought a box in which 
was a supper for two. A sheet, in which an open- 
ing about one by two feet was cut, was stretched 
across a door leading into another room. The 
ladies, one by one, stood in the doorway behind 
the sheet, putting the hand that held the box 



through the opening and an auctioneer sold 
them to the highest bidder. 

****** 
Take fifty cents or a dollar from the money 
received as dues and invest it in sugar and 
other material for making candy. On Saturday 
morning let the teacher or some of the girls 
make this into candy and during the afternoon 
have several of the pupils go about from house 
to house and sell it from the dainty boxes or 
baskets in which it has been arranged. 

An "experience meeting" often furnishes 
amusement to the pupils and adds money to the 
League treasury. Some day the teacher tells 
the pupils that on two weeks from that day they 
will have a meeting and each one will be expected 
to contribute ten cents that he has actually 
earned ; as he presents his dime he must tell the 
manner of work he did to earn it. The novelty 
of this appeals to all. 

One League appointed five members to write 
letters to iormer pupils of the school stating 
that the "little red schoolhouse" was sadly in 
need of repairs and that any sum of money 
towards putting it in better condition would be 
most gratefully received by them. These let- 
ters evidently called up very tender thoughts of 
by-gone days for fifty dollars dropped at once 
into the treasury. 

****.** 

Have one day set apart as "Library Day" and 
have appropriate exercises during the afternoon. 
29 



The teacher should have provided herself with 
the Hawthorne certificates which she should 
distribute among the pupils and assembled 
friends. By the next day she will have, at least, 
one of the ten dollar Hawthorne libraries. Friends 
of the school can often be induced to donate 
books from their own shelves which make 
good reference books. 

****** 
A miniature fair may be held on some Satur- 
day afternoon toward the close of the term. 
Both boys and girls should have been preparing 
for this for some time. The girls will contribute 
aprons, plain and fancy, crocheted dish cloths, 
wash rags, any little things that they choose. 
The boys do their share in arranging tables, etc. 
The mothers will contribute generously, depend 
upon it. Of course every schoolroom has its 
annual cleaning for which the town pays. In 
many cases this work has been done by the 
League members and the money taken for school 

use. 

****** 

The Curtis Camera Co., of Boston, sent to 
a League twenty-five Copley prints (the League 
paying express on them). These were hung 
about the schoolroom and some very old-fash- 
ioned pieces of china that had been borrowed in 
the town were exhibited on small tables. The 
china was carefully guarded by some demure 
little maids in "ye olden time" clothes. An ad- 
mission fee was charged. 

Six of the pictures were sold to people of the 
town and the Company allowed the League a 
commission on the sale. 
30 






One rural school gave a lawn party on the 
grounds of an abandoned farm-house nearby 
and invited the other Leagues of the town to 
be present. That house was opened, the rooms 
decorated with Japanese lanterns, home-made 
candy and cakes were on sale and a goodly sum 
was realized for the League which planned the 
happy affair. 

In one town all the Leagues united in an 
exhibition of their work. A small admission 
fee was charged and some articles were placed 
on sale. This exhibition was held the last of 
February and it is a fact worthy of note that 
the town meeting of that year made some appro- 
priations for some long needed repairs and that 
some of the regular appropriations were in- 
creased. 

A League in a high or grammar school would 
be sure to make a success of a reception ten- 
dered to parents' and teachers. Refreshments 
placed on sale would aid the League treasury. 
Or if the League does not wish to make any 
charge for refreshments the interest awakened 
by such an affair could not fail to forward the 
ultimate ends of the League. 

A Word in General. 
It is expected that at future County and State 
teachers' meetings exhibits of photographs show- 
ing the work done by the Leagues, will be made. 
Every teacher should see that her school is rep- 
resented in these exhibits. Write the name of your 
school and League and the name and address 
of the teacher on the reverse side of the picture 



3i 



of your schoolroom or yard and send to the ■ 
State Secretary, Miss Kate MacDonald, Ma- 
chias, Me. 

The local newspaper of your own or ad- 
joining town will cheerfully print notes concern- 
ing the League work and nothing will bring 
you better return than to make known your 
plans in this way. 

The State Secretary will give wide circulation 
to the facts sent her by the local secretaries. 
Therefore the local secretaries should be en- 
couraged to give frequent and full reports. 

If you have a large adult membership in your 
League, perhaps a branch to be known as the 
"Mothers' Club" would do effective work. 

Entertainments under League auspices have 
been productive of excellent financial results. 

The State Secretary wishes to keep a directory 
of all Leagues. Local secretaries should send 
to her the names, number of members and officers 
of their Leagues. 

For any assistance in organizing or carrying 
on the work write to the State officers or to your 
County councilor. They will want also to learn 
of your progress. 

The school is a triple partnership composed 
of pupil, parent and teacher. The most suc- 
cessful schools are those in which there is the 
most complete harmony among partners. 

Make your school the Social, Literary and 
Art Center of the community. 



32 



